Rio 2016: Olympics flag passes to Tokyo

Aug.22, Brasilia: The Rio Olympics ended with a spectacular carnival-inspired closing ceremony, and the official handover to 2020 hosts Tokyo, reports said.

The colourful ceremony, lasting almost three hours, celebrated Brazil's arts and was held in a wet Maracana. Among the highlights were Tokyo's impressive showcase and a vibrant carnival parade.

International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach said these were a marvellous Olympics, in a marvellous city. "Over the last 16 days a united Brazil inspired the world, in difficult times for all of us, with its irresistible joy for life," he added.

Bach officially closed the Games of the 31st Olympiad after 16 days of competition, featuring 11,303 athletes from 206 nations and a refugee team.

Women's hockey captain Kate Richardson-Walsh carried the flag for Great Britain, who finished the Games with 67 medals - their highest tally at an overseas Olympics.

Super-heavyweight boxer Joe Joyce had earlier won Britain's final medal of Rio 2016 - a silver - as they finished second in the medal table to the United States, ahead of China, BBC reported.